Madame Tussauds in New York is a waxworks museum displaying over 220 wax figures of celebrities as well as icons from the past and present. Here is a complete guide.
How To Get To Madame Tussauds
Located in Times Square, Madame Tussauds New York is a world famous waxworks museum and popular tourist attraction.
By Bus:
The closest public bus stop is Times Square.
You can jump on the M6, M7, M10, M16, M20, M27 & M104 to reach Times Square in the city.
By Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour:
If you take the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour you’ll want to jump off anywhere near Time Square.
By Subway:
There are multiple ways to get to Madame Tussauds New York by subway.
The closest Subway station is 42nd Street – Times Square.
By Car:
Traffic can be pretty hectic in New York City, however if you feel like driving simply follow Google Maps and head to 42nd street.
To reserve your parking spot, visit the Madame Tussauds New York parking page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
Madame Tussauds Entrance Fee
We recommend booking your Madame Tussauds Entry Tickets in advance.
Entrance to Wax Museum: $39.99
Ticket for Wax Museum + Marvel Universe 4D: $43.99
Ticket for Wax Museum + Marvel Universe 4D + Carnival Carnage 7D + Digital Photo Pack: $51.99
Admission is free for children aged 2 and under.
For all tourists visiting New York we recommend purchasing either the New York: Go City Explorer Pass with 95+ Tours & Attractions or the New York CityPASS®: Save 40% at 5 Top Attractions.
These are a great way of saving money when visiting multiple tourist attractions during your stay in New York.
Both include:
- Top Of The Rock
- Empire State Building
- Statue of Liberty
- American Museum of Natural History
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum
- And many more!
Madame Tussauds Opening Times
Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm.
Friday & Saturday: 10am – 10pm.
Opening times at Madame Tussauds New York can vary throughout the year, so it’s best to check the website before you visit.
Last admission ticket is sold 1 hour before closing.
Best Times To Visit Madame Tussauds + Tips
Madame Tussauds tends to be the least crowded on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
We visited the morning after our evening at Top Of The Rock and it was super quiet.
It is at its busiest between 1pm and 5pm most days, with weekends being especially busy.
The tour through the attraction is self-guided.
It should take you approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete your tour.
There is a concession stand where snacks and beverages can be purchased on the 9th floor as well as a Café/Bar on the 7th floor.
A great attraction to plan in for a rainy day or when you’re in need of something indoors.
Don’t forget your camera!
What To Pack
The History Of Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds waxworks museum in New York opened on 15th November 2000 and is one of 6 based in the USA. Furthermore, there are in total, 21 Madame Tussaud waxwork museums worldwide.
Founded by the wax sculptor, Marie Tussaud, Madame Tussauds is now operated by the United Kingdom based entertainment company, Merlin Entertainments.
Marie Tussaud
Marie Tussaud was born Marie Grosholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France.
Marie’s mother worked as a housekeeper for Dr. Philippe Curtius, a physician skilled in wax modelling. It was in fact Phillipe that taught Marie the art.
Marie’s first sculpture was of Francois Voltaire, a French writer, which she made at just 16 years of age.
However, in 1794, Marie’s mentor, Dr Phillipe Curtius, died and she inherited his entire waxworks collection.
In 1795 Marie married Francois Tussaud, following which, in 1802, she took her waxwork exhibition on tour to the British Isles.
By 1835 she had settled down in Baker Street, London, and consequently went on to open the now famous waxworks museum, Madame Tussaud’s.
The gallery originally contained some 400 different figures, but fire damage in 1925, coupled with German bombs in 1941, rendered most of these older models defunct.
In 1842 Marie Tussaud made a self-portrait, which is now on display at several Madame Tussauds locations. On 15 April 1850, Madame Tussaud died in her sleep.
After Marie Tussauds Death
In 1883, due to the rising cost of the Baker Street building, Marie Tussaud’s grandson, Joseph Randall, decided to move the museum.
He commissioned the building at its current location on Marylebone Road, London, England.
subsequently, in 1972, the second European Madame Tussauds attraction opened in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Following this, 19 more Madam Tussauds museums have opened around the world, the last 2 being in 2017 in Nashville USA and in Dehli India.
What To Expect At Madame Tussauds
Voted as one of the most unique things to do in New York, Madame Tussauds New York is home to more than 220 life-like wax figures for you to get up close and personal with.
Experience a moment with some of the world’s most famous musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, world leaders as well as icons from the past and present.
Some of the many characters you will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with include Marilyn Monroe, Brad Pitt, The Beatles, Einstein, Picasso, Donald Trump, Abraham Lincoln and many more.
There’s so much to see and do at Madame Tussauds with over 85,000 square feet of interactive entertainment over 5 floors, there is definitely something for everybody.
We had such a laugh exploring all the different zones and taking selfies with some of our favourite stars before heading up to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
The 7 Different Zones
Zone 1. Suit up with the MARVEL Super Heroes.
Meet and pose with Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Spider-Man, as well as many more!
Additionally, watch and feel the action in MARVEL Universe 4D.
Zone 2. Sit in the Oval Office.
Visitors can get up close and personal with President Biden and Vice President Harris in the new Oval Office Experience!
Zone 3. Join the Ghostbusters.
Celebrating the return of Ghostbusters, Madame Tussauds has brought the cinematic experience to life in a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by the 2016 film.
Zone 4. Be a Tonight Show guest.
Visit MTNY Studios where you are the star! Report on the latest news with Michael Strahan as well as tell jokes with Jimmy Fallon. Whatever you do, the camera’s on you.
Zone 5. Star on Broadway.
Experience the magic of Broadway like never before in an interactive journey behind the scenes of iconic Broadway Shows.
Zone 6. Face-off with King Kong.
Dare to awaken Kong! Experience the roar of the largest animatronic in New York City, the gorilla famous for climbing the Empire State Building, and also unearth the secrets of Skull Island!
Zone 7. Walk the Runway.
Alessandra Ambrosio puts you in the middle of your very own Fashion Show in New York, the Fashion Capital of the World.
Also available is the Coney Island Carnival Carnage 7D Game. A carnival adventure where you will play against your friends in a unique 7D, multi-sensory, interactive gaming experience.
Where To Stay In New York
Luxury – The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
This Manhattan hotel in Midtown overlooks Central Park and is within walking distance of Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.
Free cable and a bathrobe are provided in every room at the New York Central Park Ritz-Carlton. All rooms are elegant, with wood furniture and light colors. Many rooms also include a city or park view.
La Prairie Spa at the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park offers massage and facial services, as well as a sauna. Guests can also work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center.
The 57th street subway station is just 2 blocks away, providing easy access to the city. Radio City Music Hall and the Broadway Theatre District are also both within 1 mile of the hotel.
Mid-Budget – citizenM New York Times Square
Located right in the heart of Manhattan, this hotel is just 1 minute’s walk from Times Square. It’s also within 5 minutes’ walk of Central Park and Columbus Circle.
A flat-screen TV and a small refrigerator with free water are available in citizenM’s rooms. Bathrooms include Hansgrohe rain showers and oversized bathroom amenities.
With the room iPad, all guests can control room lights, black-out blinds, curtains and temperature. As well as TV and radio channels.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi and express check in are on offer at citizenM New York Times Square.
Three outdoor terraces are provided at the New York Times Square citizenM. They feature a state-of-the-art fitness centre with yoga facilities.
After working out, guests can relax with drinks and sweeping views of the city on the exclusive rooftop bar.
Budget – Central Park West Hostel
Located in New York City’s Upper West Side, this hostel is a block from the 86th street underground station and 2 blocks from Central Park. It offers Wi-Fi and staff-organized events.
A shared kitchen, café area, and spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV are part of the facilities at the FIT Hotel. Lockers are also provided in the dormitory rooms and luggage storage is available.
The front desk of this New York City hostel is open 24 hours a day. It features daily housekeeping and free linens.
Times Square is only 10 minutes via underground journey.
For more places to stay in New York, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
More USA Blogs
San Francisco Bucket List: 12 Best Things To Do
Los Angeles Bucket List: 9 Best Things To Do
12 Most Instagrammable Places In San Francisco
11 Most Instagrammable Places In LA
Pin It For Later!
